Retailers Vow Not to Sell Rolling Stone Issue

LUBBOCK, Texas — United Supermarkets has joined a growing list of retailers who’ve committed to banning the August issue of Rolling Stone from their shelves.

The issue that is scheduled to be released Friday, features a Jim Morrison-esque image of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on a cover that critics contend likens him to a rock star.

“This was an easy business decision for us,” said Robert Taylor, chief executive officer of United Supermarkets, in a statement. “To do anything that would glorify terrorist behavior simply goes against what our company stands for.”

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CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Stop & Shop, Roche Bros., Big Y Foods, Wegmans, Roundy's, Hy-Vee and Tedeschi Food Shops have made similar commitments, according to reports. But other chains are still deciding on the best course of action.

Publix Super Markets fielded several Facebook comments about the issue Thursday. Some implored the chain to ban Rolling Stone, while others encouraged the retailer to allow readers to decide for themselves whether or not to buy the magazine.

A Publix representative told one Facebook follower that she would relay her request to Publix’s purchasing team, noting that if the issue does end up on shelves, shoppers can ask a manager to obscure the cover image with a piece of plastic. A Publix spokeswoman did not return SN’s request for comment.

Boston Mayor Tom Menino criticized Rolling Stone publisher Jann Wenner for his choice of Tsarnaev in a letter that went viral Wednesday. “The survivors of the Boston attacks deserve Rolling Stone cover stories, though I no longer feel that Rolling Stone deserves them,” Menino said.

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